Chapter 107 : Change of Plan

A Terra ship slowly landed on the black soil of TrES-2b. Valerius and his friends slowly step out from their ship. They looked around their surroundings.

Soil black as coal. A forest of dry trees as if they've been burned. And yet, from those trees grow pitch black leaves. The wind whoosh an eerie howl through the branches. 

"Which direction?" Verchiel asked.

"Whichever way looks the most menacing," said Valerius. He walks into the forest followed by his friends.

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Maskmana looked at the Mars report in front of him. The battle between Terra and Mars has changed the situation. 

"This is not the kind of war I expected," said Ramenman. 

Maskmana let out a distressed sigh. 

"I never thought the Terrans would go this far for her," said Maskmana.

"I suppose they really want her dead," said Rum. 

"Axion is like a legendary demon to the Terrans. This much resistance is understandable," said Vion.

"So we're going to war with the Terrans now?" Ramenman asked. 

Maskmana is silent. He clenched his fist.

"This is an unexpected turn of events. We need to choose between saving Axion or Terra," said Tarung. 

"No. There is no saving. Only war. We either wage war with Terra or war with Axion," said Maskmana. 

"In terms of casualty, siding with Terra would be better," said Guruhan Commander. "If we fight Terra, many will die. Both from Terra's side and our side. And we are likely to lose a diplomatic chance with Terra. Plus, this war could go for generations."

"So you're going to abandon her?!" Kaizo asked. 

"Not yet. We are still weighing the consequences," said Koko Ci.

"Think about it. An alliance with the people of Terra, or Axion," said Guruhan commander. 

"You think we won't have casualties if we fight Axion?" Maskmana asked. 

"Maskmana, you know well that the casualty will be far less if we side with Terra," said Guruhan commander. 

"What makes you think so?" Maskmana asked. "All of us against the monsters and her tremendous magic power."

"Which gives more reason why we side with Terra. Her power can be a big threat," said Guruhan Commander. 

"What makes you think Terra won't be a threat?" Maskmana asked. "Look around you, Commander. The universe is vast. We exist among many powerful forces. You cannot judge a threat simply because you feel overpowered."

"Terra has people in it. A race with intelligence. A proper civilization where people live. Compared to a barren land infested with monsters like TrES-2b, Terra is worth more," said Guruhan Commander. "She is a loose unpredictable bomb! With Terra, we can negotiate," the Guruhan Commander insisted. "Plus, she's a criminal on Terra."

"What happened with her on Terra stays in Terra," said Maskmana. "Don't bring a crime from someone else's planet into an intergalactic jurisdiction."

"We built this alliance believing to do the right thing not to side with a criminal," said Guruhan Commander.

 "Oh, please. Don't act as if you've never done a crime before. Hypocrite!" said Vion sarcastically. 

"Abandoning her is not the right thing. It's a sacrifice!" said Maskmana.

"A sacrifice that needs to be made for the sake of peace!" the Guruhan Commander replied. 

"Enough!" said Tarung firmly. "People, I think we all need to take a breath."

They all leaned to their chair and took a breath from the tension. 

"Can't we save them all? Tell the Terrans that Axion is good now," said Rum.

"Axion and her demons are a well-known legend in Terra. They basically worship her as the Queen of death," said Vion. "You can't simply tell a bunch of religious angels that demons aren't bad."

"Maskmana, do you want to save her?" Tarung asked. 

"... I do. I believe there is still a chance for her," said Maskmana. 

"A chance for what?" Tarung asked. 

"A chance to live," he firmly answers.

They both looked each other in the eye through the screen. 

"Admiral Maskmana, I think you've grown too attached to her. It clouds your judgment," said the Guruhan Commander. 

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to save the people you cared for," Maskmana firmly replied. 

"Regardless of which side you're on, we Martians are giving our full support for Axion," said Zanarith. "For all its worth, Axion was the one who saved our planet. Terrans, on the other hand, had just opened fire on our fleet not long ago." 

"Anyone else wants to say their support?" Tarung asked.

They all went silent. 

"Then I'll state my support. We, TAPOPS station, will fight the Terrans and support Axion," said Tarung.

They look at the Guruhan Commander. He sighed. 

"Well, for all it's worth, her role as Noche the Bounty hunter is a good asset," said the Guruhan Commander. 

"Then it's settled," said Koko Ci. "We stay on our initial plan. We assemble at TrES-2b. Find Axion and stop the Terrans. How should we call this mission?"

"Let's call it 'the Astros alliance'," said Tarung.

"Very well. Any other objections?" Koko Ci asked.

No one speaks a word. 

"This decision will weigh you more than it weighs others," said Tarung. 

"I will take responsibility," said Maskmana. 

"As must we all, old friend," Tarung replied.